Students can access their 1098T tax forms online by going to heartland.ecsi.net. You will create a Heartland Account or log in with your previously created Heartland credentials.
Important Notice Regarding 2025 IRS Form 1098-T
Please note that an important change has been made starting with the 2025 tax year’s Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses (QTRE) reporting:
Students who registered for the Spring 2026 semester in 2025 will notice those charges are included in, and are increasing, their 2025 Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses. As a result, because those charges posted in 2025, the Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses reported for the 2026 tax year will be decreased by this amount. This same process will be used each year going forward, based on when charges are posted to a student’s account.
Explanation of IRS Form 1098-T
IRS Form 1098-T is issued as required by the Internal Revenue Service to provide information that may assist you in completing your individual tax return. The amounts reported on Form 1098-T may differ from the amounts you personally paid toward Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses (QTRE).
We strongly recommend consulting a qualified tax professional when determining eligibility for, or claiming, an education tax credit. All information LeTourneau University can provide regarding Form 1098-T is included either on the form itself or on this site. Our staff is not permitted to provide tax advice, explain tax implications, or interpret how this form applies to your individual tax situation. Questions regarding Form 1098-T should be directed to your tax preparer. There is no IRS requirement to claim an education credit or tuition and fees deduction. Claiming education tax benefits is a voluntary decision for those who may qualify.
Amounts Paid for Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses:
Box 1 reports the qualified tuition and related expenses paid during the calendar year.
LeTourneau University treated the following as:
Included in Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses
- Tuition
- Recreation, Technology, and General Fee
- Course Fees
- Programs Fees
Not Included in Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses
- Late Fee
- Drop Fee
- Processing fee
- Payment plan fee
- Room and board charges
- Fines
- Laundry Fee
- Transportation Fee
- Bridges Program Fee
- Textbook Charges
Adjustments Made for a Prior Year:
Box 4 reports adjustments made to qualified tuition and related expenses that were reported on a prior year’s Form 1098-T. The amount shown represents a reduction in tuition paid during a previous calendar year and may reduce any allowable education credit claimed for that year.
Scholarships or Grants:
Box 5 reports the net amount of scholarships or grants received on your student account during the calendar year. These funds are often considered “free money” that does not require repayment and may include:
- Grants and scholarships
- Outside sponsored awards
- Third-party billing arrangements
- Tuition waivers
- Veteran’s education benefits
Adjustments to Scholarships or Grants for a Prior Year:
Box 6 reports adjustments made to scholarships or grants that were reported on a prior year’s Form 1098-T. This reduction may affect the amount of any allowable education credit or tuition and fees deduction for the applicable prior year.
Additional Information Reported:
- Box 7: If checked, indicates that Box 1 includes charges for an academic period that begins in the following calendar year (for example, Spring semester charges paid in the prior year).
- Box 8: Indicates whether the student was enrolled at least half-time during at least one semester in the calendar year.
- Box 9: Indicates whether the student was enrolled in a graduate-level program.
Helpful IRS Resources
The following IRS resources may assist you in understanding the purpose and applicability of Form 1098-T for your individual tax situation:
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/students
https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc421
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-students-and-scholars
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-benefits-for-education-information-center
1098-T Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 1098-T?
This form is used by eligible educational institutions to report information from their students to the IRS. This reporting is required per the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. The required information includes the student’s name, address, social security number or individual taxpayer identification number, enrollment status, total payments for qualifying tuition and related expenses, and total scholarships/grants received (whether taxable or not). The 1098-T form will assist students in calculating any education tax credit that they may be eligible for under the American Opportunity tax credits.
What if I have not provided my social security number?
The IRS requires colleges and universities to report 1098-T data with or without SSN/ITIN information. If you fail to furnish your SSN or ITIN, the IRS may impose on you a penalty of $50 unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect. LeTourneau University makes multiple attempts during the summer and fall semesters to obtain your SSN/ITIN via mail, email, and phone.
When will this form be mailed to students?
The 1098-T form is required to be provided to each applicable student and must be mailed no later than January 31.
How do I use this information?
LeTourneau University’s sole responsibility regarding the American Opportunity tax credits is to furnish the form to the student and the IRS. It is not responsible for, and is prohibited by law, from giving tax advice. For assistance with using the information reported on the 1098-T, consult a tax advisor or the Internal Revenue Service for guidance.
Can my 1098-T be accessed online?
Yes—you can access your 1098-T at heartland.ecsi.net
The website allows students to securely review specific demographic and financial information provided by the school. This login-based portal requires users to verify their identity before accessing their records. It is best accessed through a laptop or computer as opposed to a smartphone.
Required Information for Login:
Select “Sign In | Register” from the top left corner of the homepage. If you already have an account, sign in with your credentials. If you do not have an account, follow the prompts to create one.
To connect your Heartland account to your LETU account, select “Connect An Account” and enter your Heartland Key (a unique key assigned to each student). If ECSI did not send this via email, you can retrieve it by using the look-up tool, to the right of the “Connect an Account” box. You will select Letourneau University and enter your SSN and Zip Code (matching your permanent mailing address in the University’s system).
Accessing Your Record:
Once your account is connected, select “View Account” to access your records. Current statements will be available in the Account Overview section, while previous statements can be found under the History tab.
To download your 1098-T, locate the 1098-T line item and click “View Details”(you may need to disable your pop-up blocker).
How is the amount in Box 1 calculated?
Box 1 is the total of all payments from any source, minus scholarships, grants, third party payments, and refunds. Box 1 cannot exceed the amount of qualified tuition and related expenses. Therefore, payments reported in Box 1 for the calendar year will not always match the total amount of payments made on your student account.
Who do I contact if I have questions about how the totals for each box were calculated?
Any additional questions concerning how the totals for each box were calculated can be directed to the Student Accounts office. They can be contacted by phone at 800-388-5327 ext 4140 or by email at StudentAccounts@letu.edu. If you have further questions about these changes or other specific tax related questions, please contact your tax professional.
